All books

1939-1945

Take a visual journey through the epic events of World War II with the art of Mort Künstler

World War II: 1939–1945 takes readers on a vivid journey through the most important events of the conflict, with illustrations by Mort Künstler—one of American’s foremost historical painters—and an inquiry-based text by renowned historian James I. Robertson, Jr..

Young readers are encouraged to look for details and discover key moments of the war—including Pearl Harbor, D-Day, and the Battle of the Bulge—to learn how it really felt to be there. A timeline and short biographies of notable figures, such as Winston Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, provide excellent supplements to each chapter.

From high-action combat to soldiers reflecting post-battle, each scene captures a historically accurate, visually rich portrait of the war. No other living historical artist is as celebrated as Künstler, and his work continues to attract history lovers of all ages.

The Dark World of Light

The first comprehensive monograph on contemporary artist Karen Gunderson written by Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Frank.

Widely collected in Hollywood and New York, artist Karen Gunderson is perhaps best known for her work since the 1980s, when she transitioned from painting in color to working only in black. Over her forty-plus-year career, Gunderson has tackled subjects from clouds to royalty to the cosmos. Her long-developed, labor intensive technique, including rigorous brushwork and paint layering, employs a range of black shades that create a unique three-dimensional effect: The multiple textures from the paint catch light and make the paintings shimmer and appear to move, alternating with shadows and highlights that illuminate her subjects—historic royal figures, bodies of water, mountains, and constellations—depending on how the viewer moves in front of each artwork.

Tracing the life and career of the artist, Karen Gunderson is written by author and critic Elizabeth Frank, who won the Pulitzer Prize for her biography of poet Louise Bogan and is the author of a number of books on art, including Jackson Pollock, published by Abbeville.

Art lovers and artists interested in Gunderson’s painting technique will discover captivating works in this book—in more than 100 illustrations—that shows how the artist pushes the limits to what one can do with black paint. While abstract artists of the past, including Ad Reinhardt and Pierre Soulages, have employed black paint, Gunderson has set herself apart from this lineage. She has distinguished herself not only with her use of figurative subjects, but also the way her works radiate a quiet optimism—a sharp contrast with this dark medium.

A Celebration in the Raw

Winner of the 2017 Readable Feast People's Choice Cookbook of the Year

A comprehensive visual celebration of one of the sea’s most delicious and fascinating creatures, featuring lush original photography, practical guidelines, and historical anecdotes

For centuries, oysters have had the power to sustain and delight, inspiring writers and artists, lowly cooks and four-star chefs, laborers and gourmands, and everyone in between. A feast for the eyes and the palate, oysters also are rich in history and lore. In Oysters: A Celebration in the Raw, Marion Lear Swaybill presents a wide-ranging visual exploration of this iconic shellfish, including stunning portraits of more than fifty oyster varietals, the latest photographs from some of the country’s most renowned and beautiful oyster farms, and notable illustrations of oysters in art and culture, all alongside a lively and informative text. Acclaimed chef and restaurateur Jeremy Sewall provides personal insights, drawing on his New England lineage and his place in the forefront of the oyster revival.

Overflowing with gorgeous original photography and fascinating anecdotes, Oysters: A Celebration in the Raw is the perfect book for oyster aficionados and newbies, foodies and chefs of all stripes, lovers of photography and art, the environment, history, and the sea.

Flip and Flop 10 Great Works of Art

Based on a popular game, Master-Pieces encourages kids to look closely at art, for a fun spin on art appreciation

Mix and match pieces of the world’s greatest artworks—from Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa to Gilbert Stuart’s George Washington—to create new portraits. Flip Flora’s pretty hairstyle on the head of a Kabuki actor. Top Frida Kahlo with the straw hat of Vincent van Gogh.

Printed on heavy board and laminated, Master-Pieces will stand up to the most enthusiastic flipping, at home or in the classroom. Including full images with captions, short descriptions of the works, and artists’ biographies, it features artworks from the world’s most magnificent public collections, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Louvre. With one thousand possible portrait combinations, Master-Pieces will have children looking at art in a whole new way.

A charming, uproarious exploration of the scientific answers to our most timeless questions about drinks and drinking

The world is full of questions, myths, and half-truths about drinking. Beer before liquor, never sicker? Should you drink the hair of the dog that bit you?

These questions usually have hilarious answers, but more often than not, the old wives’ tales and wild guesses of bartenders (and –goers alike) drown them out. For the first time in one volume, Distilled Knowledge compiles all the major points of discussion and disputation—with the science to either back them up or knock them down.

Cocktail historian and instructor Brian D. Hoefling’s pithy, conversational text is divided into two parts. The first, “What Hits the Glass,” discusses the ins and outs of fermentation, distillation, aging, and mixing—even solving the age-old conundrum between “shaken” and “stirred.” The second section, “What Hits the Body,” deals with the after-effects of alcohol on the human body, answering a wide range of questions on intoxication, social lubrication, and hangovers.

Readers will receive a complete and comical education through this attractive volume, which features clear, cheeky illustrations throughout. Complete with cross-references, scientific appendices, and a full index, the easily digestible entries are robust enough to put an end to any barroom dispute. A compulsively readable book, Distilled Knowledge is as funny as it is factual and will delight cocktail enthusiasts, beer aficionados, and those who love a good bit of trivia.

This is the Fall 2016 catalog for Abbeville Press which is an independent publisher of timeless fine art and illustrated books. Since its founding in 1977, Abbeville Press has produced books of the highest quality and sophistication—books that are not only meant to be read, but displayed, shared, and treasured for a lifetime.

The definitive monograph on the greatest painter of the early Renaissance, now available in an affordable paperback edition

Giotto is traditionally considered a founder of the Italian Renaissance, praised for his understanding of space and the human body. Producing a series of commissioned works for the church and upper classes in his native Tuscany and surrounding regions, Giotto (c. 1267–1337) changed the course of European art by breaking away from the stiff, predictable figures of the Byzantine and medieval traditions. His great fresco cycles, most notably the lives of the Virgin and Christ in the Scrovegni (or Arena) Chapel, Padua, are filled with realistic depictions of three-dimensional figures set in dramatic, even revolutionary, perspectival spaces.

In this authoritative survey of Giotto's life and work, Francesca Flores d'Arcais draws on a broad range of sources, from fourteenth-century documents to recent art-historical investigations. Her research leads her to important reattributions of Giottesque paintings and to new conclusions regarding the execution and dating of both famous and lesser-known works. In this second edition of her study, d'Arcais also discusses the earthquake of September 26, 1997, that damaged the frescoes of the Upper Basilica of San Francisco in Assisi, some of which are attributed to the young Giotto. Now available in a paperback edition at an irresistible price, Giotto combines splendid images and d'Arcais's insightful text in the definitive monograph on the greatest of trecento masters.

The National Debt, Spending, Taxes, and the Bankrupting of America

What is the national debt? Who loses from it? Who profits from it? Why is it a greater threat to America than international terrorism? In direct, non-partisan language, this book follows the money and finds the answers.

Conservative, Liberal, Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Socialist... Each has a laundry list for America on which the slow-motion cataclysm of unsustainable national debt is but a lonely bullet point among dozens of others. Full Faith and Credit zooms in on that point, liberates it from partisan programs and political orientations, expands it, explores it, and explains it.

The book examines key dimensions of our national life—from a military-industrial complex more menacing than even Eisenhower could have imagined to a Tower of Babel tax code that covertly translates taxes into secret spending. With the aim of converting bystanders into informed advocates of change, Full Faith and Credit is rich with eye-opening data, surprising case studies, and you-can’t-make-this-stuff-up examples:

For every official the United States public has elected, its government supports 5,000 unelected employees.

$1 billion is the cost to destroy $16 billion in ammunition unneeded by the U.S. military.

$20,973,890,000 is the total taxpayer cost to the Treasury of gambling losses deducted by millionaires.

More timely than ever, Full Faith and Credit locates the tipping point of the $18.8 trillion national debt crisis and offers new ideas on how to fix it.

The Barcelona Trio

Lionel Messi, an attacking genius and longtime player on FC Barcelona, is widely recognized as one of the greatest soccer players in history. When the emerging Brazilian talent Neymar joined him in 2013, they became known as the Invincible Duo. Then, when the colorful Luis Suárez joined their roster the following year, the most unbeatable attacking unit in history had been created.Together, this trio has scored a record-breaking number of goals, and has proven time and again that their strategic unit outshines each player on his own.

The book includes details of each player’s career, vivid photos of the trio’s electric force on the field, impressive stats, and fun facts about the most successful offensive formation playing today.

An informative, Q&A series for dads-to-be, from the best-selling author of The New Father

On one page is a fill-in-the blank statement about new fatherhood, along with four multiple choice answers. Test yourself, then turn the page to find some helpful advice drawn from the expertise of top practitioners, as well as Brott’s own background as a father of three and the real-world experience of thousands of others. With chapters on each of the 12 months in baby’s first year, the book features topics guys need to know—baby blues—and doesn’t shy away from topics guys want to know—work/life balance—all of which is told with the authority and honesty of an informed buddy.

Test your knowledge on fatherhood with this sneak peek into FAQ for New Fathers:

Question: Most OB/GYNs advise their patients to refrain from intercourse for at least after giving birth for ___________?

Six weeks

A year

Three days

An hour

Answer: Six weeks, but resuming intercourse ultimately depends on the condition of your partner's cervix and vagina, and, more important, on how you're both feeling.

Tip: Before you mark that date on your calendar, remember that the six-week rule is only a guideline. Chances are it'll be a while longer than that. A long while...

An informative Q&A series for dads-to-be, from the best-selling author of The Expectant Father

On one page is a fill-in-the-blank statement about impending fatherhood, along with four multiple choice answers. Test yourself, then turn the page to find some helpful advice drawn from the expertise of top practitioners, as well as Brott’s own background as a father of three and the real-world experience of thousands of others. With chapters on each of the 9 months of pregnancy, as well as sections on labor and delivery and infertility, the book features topics guys need to know—changes to men’s hormones during pregnancy—and doesn’t shy away from topics guys want to know—sex during pregnancy—all of which is told with the authority and honesty of an informed buddy.

Test your knowledge on pregnancy and the countdown to fatherhood with this sneak peek into FAQ for Expectant Fathers:

Question: Some research has found that the more severe the morning sickness, the _______ will be.

higher the baby’s IQ

prettier the baby

louder the baby

crankier the baby

Answer: Women who have severe morning sickness are less likely to miscarry, deliver prematurely, or have low-birth weight babies. Some research has found that the more severe the mother's symptoms, the higher the baby's IQ will be.

Tip: Telling her these things won't make her feel much better, but it might make her smile as she's leaning over the toilet bowl.

1861-1865

Take a visual journey through the events of the Civil War with the art of Mort Künstler

The Civil War takes readers on a chronological journey of the most important events of the conflict with action-packed illustrations by Mort Künstler—the most collected Civil War artist in the world—and inquiry-based text by historian James L. Robertson Jr. With close readings of Künstler’s paintings, young readers can parse the details of key moments of the war, including the Battle of Bull Run, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Gettysburg Address, to learn how it really felt to be there. A timeline and short biographies of notable figures in the war, such as generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, provide excellent supplements to each narrative chapter.

While the American Revolution resulted in the creation of a new nation, the Civil War was a battle among citizens—the Union army against the Confederate, sometimes even brother against brother. As the most popular Civil War artist in the world, Künstler presents expansive, detailed artworks that make each battle come alive. From high-action combat scenes to decorated generals deliberating in exquisitely rendered lamp-lit camps, each painting captures a historically accurate, visually rich portrait of the war from both sides. No other living artist on the Civil War has been as celebrated as Künstler, and his work continues to attract history lovers of all ages.

1775-1783

Young readers learn and interact with the story of America’s war for independence through the epic paintings of America’s foremost historical artist, Mort Künstler

For the first title in this series, Künstler’s paintings bring history to life with vivid, high-action portrayals of the primary events that won Americans their freedom from Britain: the Boston Tea Party, the Siege of Yorktown, Paul Revere’s ride, and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The epic artworks faithfully chronicle these moments from history and encourage children to look again and again for special details—from the number of stars on George Washington’s flag to the style of a soldier’s uniform. Together with text by award-winning historian Alan Axelrod, these brilliantly explicit paintings engage a young reader’s attention and introduce them to American history through the visual arts.

Known for his vivid use of color, light, and shadow, Künstler is one of the most widely exhibited artists documenting American history today. His graphically detailed work and skillful portrayals have been lauded for its accuracy by historians and admired by curators in museums around the globe. From a frozen post-battle landscape to a weary Union soldier’s facial expression, he captures, in beautifully rendered detail, the geographical setting and the human spirit in each painting. Adults and children alike will see the story of the American Revolution unfold before their very eyes.

From a Young Nation to a Great Power

The best-selling collection of Currier & Ives Americana, now available at an unbeatable price

In the 1800s—long before the days of photojournalism and cable news—vibrant, contemporary depictions of news events, portraits of prominent political and social figures, and scenic views of the American wilderness were circulated throughout the growing nation. From the beginning of the exciting century that saw a small nation expand into a mighty world power, the famous lithographic firm of Nathaniel Currier and James Merritt Ives produced over 7,000 prints, capturing scenes of American life in vivid detail.

Currier & Ives prints were each colored individually, by hand, and collectors have prized their skilled craftsmanship and keen sense of composition for generations. This timeless collection, complete with more than three hundred illustrations in full color and a masterful text by historian Walton Rawls, captures a beloved piece of Americana. With festive holiday scenes, watershed historical moments, and idyllic depictions of the American countryside, this book will hold perennial appeal for lovers of history, art, and a classic take on the American experience.

A Five-Borough Coloring Book

Color your way through this insider’s tour of New York City’s iconic landmarks and little-seen neighborhoods, alongside the plants and animals that know them best

Explore lively streets, scenic parks, and teeming waterfronts in Wildlife of New York, a coloring adventure that celebrates the vibrant, humming energy of New York City and its surprisingly varied animal life. Artist Giada Crispiels’ playful scenes highlight beloved landmarks from all five boroughs—like Central Park, Coney Island, and the New York Botanical Garden—alongside charming neighborhood nooks and crannies. There are dozens of animals, from common squirrels to eagles and coyotes, that thrive in every corner of the urban jungle. The animals, as well as all of the featured locations, are described in lively captions at the back of the book.

Selected to fit any reader’s preference, Wildlife of New York’s artist quality paper reflects any coloring implement’s hue—whether it be markers, pens, or coloring pencils—in arresting blends and bold vividness. Packed with enchanting details, it will provide hours of fun for colorists of all ages, while opening their eyes to the amazing ecological diversity of even the most bustling cityscape.

From Myth to History

The extraordinary story of the loss and rediscovery of the city that fought Troy, told through archaeology, literature, and poetic black-and-white photography

The Mycenaean civilization flourished more than 800 years before the classical Greeks, with a complex society, strong artistic tendencies, and a distinct system of writing. Famous for its lion gate and citadel, Mycenae was long believed to be the city that fought Troy in Homer’s epic, the Iliad. But after flourishing nearly three thousand years ago the society vanished, becoming nothing more than a legend. Mycenae brings readers into the heart of this mystery, as it was being solved, through lively text, stunning photographs, and an original take on Greek history and mythology.

Using the pivotal summer of 1954—a year after Linear B, the mysterious language present on all Mycenaean artifacts, was decoded—as her entry point, author Athina Cacouri reveals the fascinating archaeological history of the site, from the pioneering work of Heinrich Schliemann to the discovery of hundreds of “seal stones,” marked with an unknown language. Cacouri’s text is complemented by the photographs of Robert McCabe, whose lens captured the site before it was opened to the general public, giving his atmospheric images a poignant, unmatched immediacy. An original play, commissioned for this volume from renowned American playwright John Guare, sets the mythological stage for the archaeological discoveries to come by recounting the history of the House of Atreus and King Agamemnon’s Trojan War, while commentary on the photographs from archaeologist Lisa Wace French ties those myths to very real discoveries at the site. An essay by Daniel Fallu, detailing the importance of Mycenae’s geology, rounds out this unparalleled survey of one of Greece’s treasured archaeological sites.

A multifaceted look at a brilliant civilization and the tireless work that led to its rediscovery, Mycenae is a fast-paced, lushly illustrated exploration of one of the most intriguing mysteries of antiquity that is sure to delight lovers of classical civilization, photography, and travel.

An elegant survey of over 70 works of art featuring women reading throughout history.

What is it about a woman reading that has captivated hundreds of artists over the centuries? Stefan Bollmann’s Women Who Read Are Dangerous explores this popular subject in more than 70 artworks—drawings, paintings, photographs, and prints—by iconic artists such as Henri Matisse, Edward Hopper, Suzanne Valadon, August Sander, Rembrandt, and many more.

As the book’s provocative title indicates, a woman reading was once viewed as radical. In chapters such as “Intimate Moments” and “The Search for Oneself,” Bollmann profiles how a woman with a book was once seen as idle or suspect, and how women have gained autonomy through reading over the years. Bollmann offers intelligent and engaging commentary on each work of art in Women Who Read Are Dangerous, telling us who the subject is, her relationship to the artist, and even what she is reading. With works ranging from a 1333 Annunciation painting of the angel Gabriel speaking to the virgin Mary, book in hand, to twentieth-century works, such as a stunning photograph of Marilyn Monroe reading Ulysses, this appealing survey provides a veritable slideshow of the many iterations of a woman and her book—a compelling subject to this day.

An excellent gift for graduates, teachers, or Mother’s Day, this elegant book is a must anyone interested in art, literature, or women’s history.

The Spring 2016 Catalog form Abbeville Press which is an independent publisher of timeless fine art and illustrated books. Since its founding in 1977, Abbeville Press has produced books of the highest quality and sophistication—books that are not only meant to be read, but displayed, shared, and treasured for a lifetime.